“I have some concerns about the project as its currently designed my primary concern is about the increase in the number of jail beds,” said Marion County resident Carolyn Higginbotham.

“When this was first presented, it was not the most positive meeting ever,” said Republican councilman Jeff Miller. “Residents said ‘you’re bringing a jail across the street from me, really?'”

But Miller promised the new complex would be safe for people living nearby.

“Not every neighbor is going to get up and say ‘I’m sold, I love it’ but as a whole, the neighborhood has understood this is not a negative, this is most likely a positive,” said Miller. “It’s not like in the movies where the Riddler and Joker break out and run and create havoc – it’s the most secure place possible.”

Some also feel that a new jail location would mean more economic development Downtown, at the jail’s current location.

“There’s no question about the need for this facility. We must build a new jail. The jail space downtown can be put to much better use in terms of economic development,” said former U.S. attorney Deborah Daniels, who also testified at Tuesday’s public hearing. “I fear that a delay will simply cause us to miss the important window of opportunity that faces us now.”

Tuesday’s hearing will be followed by one last board meeting.

Then the city-county council will hear the proposal before to could move through to the full council.